In ancient Greek societies, music was definitely one of the most consequential ways of utterance in their societies. Greek mythology glorifies the richness and variety of the Greek music and instruments in many legends. Music was a way for Greeks themselves, to exemplify their religious rituals and traditions. We can have an idea of the impacts music had, in all aspects of their lives. Music was a part of many events, rituals, and even played huge rolls in education. This essay will look at the treasures of the musical heritage described in Greek mythology and other writings from ancient Greece, the development of the lyre and the kithara, as two of the most widely used instruments during this time, the talented musicians that created …show more content…
“Sparta, Argos and Paros held the earliest such competitions from the 7th century BCE. In Hellenistic times, musical festivals and competitions became so common that musicians and performing artists began to organize themselves into guilds”(Cartwright, M.). There were two types of music competitions during this time. They were the stephanotis, which was more of a scared competition, and chremites, which was a competition where the winners won prizes. Music not only plays a huge part in celebrations and competitions, but it also was used a lot in schools. Gretans, were the first to create schools that were dedicated to musical education. “The heyday of music in the classroom was during the 6th and 5th centuries BCE when schools of music were established in Athens where pupils aged between thirteen and sixteen were taught to play the lyre and kithara and to sing, accompanied by their teacher on the aulos”(Cartwright, M.). Just as we see the rise in music being taught in schools, we also see a rise in the creation of instruments. The instruments in ancient Greece consisted of string, wind and percussion instruments. There were two instruments that were used by majority of musicians. These two instruments are the aulos and the syrinx. The aulos, “was also known as the kalamos or libykos lotos, which referred to the material from which part of the instrument was made: respectively, the
Music was a large part of everyday life in Ancient Greece. The people thought of music as a gift from their gods, associating different instruments with specific gods. Their term for music was not limited strictly to vocal and instrumental melody, but referred to dance, lyrics, and even poetry reading. Music was brought into many facets of life for Ancient Greek citizens, from weddings and funerals, to banquets and religious festivals. Education and Drama were also parts of Ancient Greek life to which music was integral.
[Opening Statement] In Plato’s The Republic his mentor, Socrates, discusses what the ideal education should include. He claims that “the rearing in music is most sovereign,” and makes an argument to defend his stance (80; bk.3, ln.401, par. d). Education for Socrates is not informative (this is how “education” is mostly viewed in modern times; just filling one’s mind with information), rather, he sees education as a formative tool to shape the soul of an individual. Socrates views music in a much broader sense than what would typically come to mind. “Music” in the Republic refers to both literary education and the conventional song and melody. Socrates’ beliefs on musical education are true, because music is formative, music teaches
The starting point of any education should be in music, mainly because of the formative power music possesses. In this day and age, music is commonly viewed as expressive, but Socrates believes music to be formative more than anything else. “Isn’t this why the rearing in music is most sovereign? Because rhythm and harmony most of all insinuate themselves into the inmost part of the soul and most vigorously lay hold of it in bringing grace with them; and they make a man graceful if he is correctly reared, if not, the opposite.” (80; bk.3, ln.401, par. d) Music, more than other forms of education, becomes ingrained in individuals, and is hard to forget; this is why it is such a powerful mode of education. Musical education in early years is important, because, in early development, children are most malleable. “Don't you know that the beginning is the most important part of every work and that this is especially so with anything young and tender? For at that stage it's most plastic, and each thing assimilates itself to the model whose stamp anyone wishes to give to it.”(54; bk.2, ln.377, par. a-b) Socrates describes the need to teach children what is right before they get the chance to learn the wrong things from elsewhere because “what he takes into his opinions at that age has a tendency to become hard to eradicate and unchangeable.” (54; bk.2, ln.378, par. d) This
James A. Keene has gathered an incredible amount of information on the interesting beginnings of music education in the United States. This text offers deep insight and a plethora of information regarding the beginnings of an area of education which has largely been neglected by scholars. For decades and in current teaching populations, the historical foundation and insight first developed by music educators from the earliest colonial times through present day has been unknown. From the introduction of vocal music to the growing interest of orchestral and band music and the a cappella choir movement, reactions to music remained both positive and negative, leading to continued advocation for music in the curriculum, arguing that music offered skill development and appreciation through exposure and practice.
Music was an important role of the ancient Egyptian lifestyle and is where many musical instruments that are used today developed. It was played in temples for worship, during holidays and social events. Music was also used to make workers more productive because it was found to be more bearable and motivating. This article describes the importance of these instruments by explaining how they originated, the structure of them, and how they are used for worship.
While researching the country of Hawaii’s musical culture and history I was able to find some very interesting things that are present in modern Hawaii. From the causes of musical oppression, fight for independence and revival of Hawaiian culture I will talk about how all of these contributed to the current culture of Hawaiian drum dance.
America has a great history from the beginning. It began with the migration of people from Europe. They colonized the states and began life there. They eventually fought for their freedom and now are the United States of America. Within this history is another profound history, which is the history of music education in America. Music education has changed and grown dramatically from century to century from the 18th century to present times. Each century show a great moment and growth in the history of music education. This paper will show how music education has grown from the 18th century.
Music played a significant role in the lives of ancient Greeks. They believed that music fostered one’s relationship with the gods, and some instruments, such as the lyre, were created by the gods. Music and dance were also taught
Music was a vital part of Greek culture and daily life; likewise, it was also considered to be from the gods. Because of this, a relationship between Greek myths and daily life is found on the vase Music Lesson by Douris. The scene on this vase shows a man playing an instrument while a boy watches intently. Various instruments
Music was both viewed as artistic entertainment, obtaining political control, and an act of improving the human character. Music became respected for itself, being accompanied by singing and dancing in occasions. Musicians used many instruments, but one of the most profound creations was the bronze bells that weighed up to two tons. These first musical instruments were commonly hung in rows and then struck by a wooden hammer. The special thing about these bells was that they were not found anywhere else in the world during this age; therefore it became one of China's greatest cultural achievement. The use of bells declined as the strings and wind instruments came around, helping music to become as more entertainment as it was ceremonial. Even
Music played a significant role in the life of your average Greek person, you would hear music everywhere. Music was used in feasts and public festivals, where there might have been be choruses, singing and sometimes even dancing around a ceremonial altar. Music was also used during more intimate ceremonies, like weddings and funerals. One of the most important venues for music in ancient Greece was the
Music in Ancient Greece was well integrated in their society, it played a large role in various ceremonies from marriages to funerals, as well as entertainment like plays or epic poetry. Although it is believed that music was invented in Africa over 55,000 years ago, music really began and took shape in Ancient Greece. Even the word music came from the Greek word muses who were believed to be the daughters of Zeus and were the patron Goddesses of creativity. There are many references to music in ancient Greece, from drawings on pottery of people playing, as well as literary works that even describe how the instruments sounded. Speaking of instruments, in addition to the voice being used as one, there are several instruments that are known to have existed in Ancient Greece, a few different string instruments including a lyre, a kithara (which is believed to be the ancient equivalent of a guitar), and a barbitos, which is a taller version of a lyre. They also had several wind type instruments including and aulos, pan pipes, a hydraulis (which eventually led to the modern day organ), as well as a salpinx, which was an ancient type of trumpet with a bone mouthpiece that was the origin of the many brass instruments that we know of today. Finally, we also know of several percussion instruments that were used by the ancient Greeks, these include a tympanum, which was like a tambourine, a crotala, and a koudounia. Music was actually one of the main teachings, along with gymnastics
Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, a fictional novel published in 1911, by Gaston Leroux, puts the reader right in the catacombs of the Paris Opera House in the late 1800s (Cox: Oxford Reference). An adventure, involving tragic love and gothic elements, surrounds a detective’s search to reveal the mystery of the “Phantom of the Opera”. The detective acts as the narrator who reflects on his investigations of the Paris Opera House through allusions and the tragedies that occur throughout the novel’s entirety. Leroux especially highlights the Phantom’s undying love for a woman named Christine Daae and displaying the most primitive feeling towards another. The novel itself has inspired
The word symphōnia was used by the Greeks in reference to notes sounding together in harmony and by extension meant an “ensemble” or “band” rather than a musical form. The word implies a pleasant concord of different notes and has been used in fields other than music to denote a pleasing combination of various elements. In the New Testament Gospel According to Luke (King James Version), symphōnia is translated as “musick,” as distinct from choroi, “dancing.” In the Middle Ages the name was given to several musical instruments, among them a double-headed drum, bowed stringed instruments, a large hurdy-gurdy, and bagpipes. Mention is made in 1582 of eine Symphonie, evidently a stringed keyboard instrument.
The feelings that the Ancient Romans had towards music could be described as ambivalent. They admired it and at the same time, they condemned it. Music, nevertheless, played a role in Roman society that, as time passed, became less and less important to the Romans. As a result, much of the information about music in Ancient Rome has been lost in time. However what has been discovered about this topic is quite fascinating, in spite of what it is lacking. The subsequent paragraphs will explain some of the aspects of Roman life regarding music. This includes the history of music in Ancient Rome, the instruments that the Romans played, the uses of music in their society and the impact that music in Rome has had on the music of today.